Anthony Chabot Camping

This weekend we went camping with my Mom and Step-dad (Jeff). They picked us up Friday afternoon in their RV and we headed out. Going camping with them is much easier since they have everything, so all we need to bring is our tent! After setting up camp we started to get dinner ready. My mom also brought a bottle of champagne to celebrate our anniversary. Friday night dinner was wings, shrimp, bread with oil and vinegar and some veggies. After dinner we hung around the fire, made S'mores then headed into the RV to some of the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

(being artistic)

(Group Shot)

Saturday morning we woke up and headed out on our hike! We did the same hike that we did last year (for the most part). Last year Russ and I were exhausted trying to get back up the hill, this year we did much better! It was a clear day so we got an awesome view of the Bay!! After our hike we lounged around till dinner. We had Tri-Tip, potatoes and onions, salad, tomatoes, corn on the Cob and last but not least WINE. We were all stuffed!!

(At the start of the hike)

(We were all the way up there!)

(Steep hill back up)

(View of the lake, back at the top)

(Playing Smash Ball)

(View of Castro Valley)

(Group Shot)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

I cant believe its been a year already! I just wanted to post a few wedding pictures and bring back some memories.

Anniversary Celebrations!

Since our anniversary fell on a weekday this year we chose to celebrate on Saturday. After picking up Russ's Mom at the airport we dropped her off then headed out. Our first stop was Sutter Home Winery right outside of St. Helena. We had been there 3 years ago, and remembered that they didn't charge for tasting so we stopped in. We ended up buying a case of wine! Its a new one that they just bottled last month. Its called "Red" and is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Moscato. You can chill it since its on the sweeter side. I think its really yummy!



Next stop was Market in St. Helena. It is the restaurant we went to the night we got engaged. We always talk about how amazing the food was, but Russ thought it was just because what we were celebrating that night. We were wrong, the food really is AMAZING!! I had the "Very Adult Mac & Cheese" and Russ had New York Strip with a Port reduction sauce. They both were very good! For dessert we had S'mores, they bring you marshmallows, homemade graham crackers, chocolate and peanut butter to your table and let you make them yourself. If your ever in St. Helena I highly recommend it!



Our last stop was Golden Haven Spa in Calistoga. We had planned on Mud Baths, but Russ surprised me with massages too! You're only in the mud for about 10 minutes then you rinse off and get into a hot tub. After the hot tub you get wrapped in blankets and relax for about 20 minutes. The entire process is a little over an hour. The best part is that your spending the entire time with your spouse, its not like other spas where they separate you. After our blanket wraps we headed over to our massages.



The night was a success the only bad part is we had to drive home after our massages. I cant wait to do it again though!

Toby Keith

Friday night Russ and I went to see Toby Keith along with our friends Falynn & Frankie. All four of us go every year, so its become a tradition. The concert was a blast!

I think that Toby puts on one of the best concerts! We have gone 4 years in a row and he always makes them fun and different! Even if you don't like country music I think you would have fun at this concert!

Del Valle Camping

A few weeks ago we went camping at Del Valle! It was a perfect weekend! Not too hot! All of our friends were busy that weekend so we ended up going by ourselves. Russ's friends Brian and Janine came up for dinner on Saturday night and brought their baby Chase. It was a nice relaxing weekend!

Alameda County Fair

Yesterday Russ and I went to the fair to watch the horse races. This was my first experience watching the races so I had a lot of questions. Overall it was fun! I think after you have been to the fair once you have seen everything! So after we were there for a few hours it was getting hot! We grabbed some Cheesy Bacon Fries, and a Cherry Snow Cone then headed home.

(no the pig is not dead, it was asleep)

Cooking Light: Cherry Pie

My boss gave me a ton of cherries last week, so this weekend when I was down at my moms looking through the new Cooking Light magazine I thought WOW I can make a bunch of these!

So last night I decided to make the Cherry Pie!

Ingredients
2 tablespoons uncooked quick-cooking tapioca

6 cups pitted sweet cherries

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury)

Cooking spray

2 tablespoons water

1 large egg white

2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

Preparation

1. Place tapioca in a spice or coffee grinder; process until finely ground. Combine tapioca, cherries, and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; toss well. Let cherry mixture stand 30 minutes; stir to combine.

2. Preheat oven to 400°.

3. Roll 1 (9-inch) dough portion into an 11-inch circle. Fit dough into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray, allowing dough to extend over edge of plate. Spoon cherry mixture and any remaining liquid into dough. Roll remaining (9-inch) dough portion into a 12-inch circle. Cut dough into 12 (1-inch-wide) strips; arrange in a lattice pattern over cherry mixture. Fold edges under; crimp.

4. Combine 2 tablespoons water and egg white in a small bowl. Brush the egg white mixture over dough on top of pie, and sprinkle dough evenly with 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Shield edges of piecrust with foil, and bake an additional 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is thick and bubbly. Cool pie in pan for 45 minutes on a wire rack.

Yield 12 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 282(32% from fat); FAT 9.9g (sat 4.1g,mono 4.3g,poly 1.2g); IRON 0.3mg; CHOLESTEROL 7mg; CALCIUM 11mg; CARBOHYDRATE 47.3g; SODIUM 161mg; PROTEIN 2.5g; FIBER 1.7g
Julianna Grimes ,
Cooking Light, JULY 2008